What are Surgical Site Infections?

A Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is an infection in the area where surgery was done. Most SSIs involve the skin, but sometimes deep tissue or organs can become infected.

Why is this important?

Surgical site infections (SSIs) that occur after surgery can equate to
longer hospital stays, difficult recovery and increased treatment costs.

How are we doing at preventing surgical site infections?

Surgical wound infections can be prevented. Medical research shows that surgery patients who get antibiotics within one hour before their surgery are less likely to get wound infections. Getting an antibiotic earlier, or after surgery begins, is not as effective. Hospital staff should make sure surgery patients get antibiotics at the right time.

This graph shows the number of eligible patients who received their prescribed antibiotic at the
right time prior to the surgical incision. Higher percentages are better.

What efforts are in place to improve performance?

We meet monthly with the surgical team to look at every opportunity for improvement. Our goal is to reach 100% for this measure.